STONE'S DIARY

Chapter 41.) 1 week later

"Reign... sweetheart, get up," Fatima gently shook her. She and Yae'Shawn played bingo and spades with his grandparents the other day and ended up sleeping over since it got so late.

        Things died down with whoever was plotting on the family, but King still wanted everyone in close proximity.

        "Ray,"

        "Hmm?" Reign hummed turning over in hopes of going back to sleep. Without opening her eyes, she knew it was early, Fatima liked to get up at 4 in the morning to do her yoga and prayer, by 6 she was meditating in the shower and by 6:45 she would be preparing to make breakfast.

         If it wasn't 4 am, Reign was certain it was at least 7.

         "Your mother called me last night asking about you dear, you gotta get up so you can eat before you leave,"

          "Wah time a it?"

          Snickering, Fatima sat on the side of the bed and poked Reign's cheek. "Eight,"

          Eight, Reign thought. There was no way she actually let her sleep in at a decent time, now way.

        Opening one eye, Reign peeked at the clock on the wall and sure enough, it was ten after eight.

         Fatima only laughed as she stood, "Shawn is somewhere around here being secretive,"

         "Secretive?" Reign sat up and Fatima nodded.

        "Not in a bad way, breakfast's will be ready in ten minutes, hurry down," she smiled on her way out of the room.

        Stretching and trying to wake herself up, Reign grabbed her phone from off the nightstand but frowned seeing that Leah hadn't texted her back yet.

          Getting up, she went ahead and got herself together and just hoped her parents wouldn't try to chew her out for not coming home last night.

        It was odd to her, she was nineteen now but still felt obligated to check-in or go by certain rules. She knew she would have to break that habit but it was going to take time, Kaari, on the other hand, respected their rules, but also knew she was an adult and had the right to march to her own beat, as long as she didn't get too crazy...

        After breakfast, Reign and Lamar sat around in the living room going through some old photos of him while he told her stories of his childhood that Yae'Shawn has heard more times than he could count.

        After listening to his story about his street life, Yae'Shawn figured it was time to go and by 11, they were preparing to leave until Mari, Yae'Shawn's mom walked through the door.

        Although he wanted to just walk by her as if he didn't see her, his grandma insisted that they sit down and talk, so here they were in the living room just staring at the blank tv screen.

        "Ok... I guess I should break the silence," she finally spoke and Yae'Shawn only shrugged.

        "I took the time I needed to really understand where your pain and anger were coming from but Yae... I honestly thought I was doing right by you," she began.

          Seeing that he wasn't going to respond, she continued, "I know I always cry about having you at such a young age but that's not an excuse anymore and for that, I do apologize..."

        Glancing at her briefly, he nodded for her to continue.

        "I want you to forgive me for chasing after money and men over you. I'm sorry for thinking I could use material things and expensive cars as a replacement for my presence and love. I missed a lot of big events for you and I know I'll never be able to get that time back, but I'm hoping I could start new... maybe be included in some stuff if you like," staring at him, Yae'Shawn's face remained neutral.